7 bestselling authors from Punjab; shaping Indian literature

Hitesh Rattan

Khushwant Singh


Khushwant Singh
Known for “Train to Pakistan,” Singh’s evocative prose captures the Partition’s human story and shaped post-independence literature.

Amrita Pritam

Amrita Pritam
Her iconic novel “Pinjar” and her bold poetry celebrate love, loss, and the soul of Punjab—making her a literary legend.

Balwant Gargi


Balwant Gargi
Internationally acclaimed playwright and novelist, Gargi’s works like “Nanak Singh—A Portrait” and “Loha Kutt” broke new ground in Punjabi fiction.

Manreet Sodhi Someshwar

Manreet Sodhi Someshwar
With bestsellers like “The Long Walk Home,” she brings contemporary Punjab to the world through gripping, acclaimed storytelling.

Jaswant Singh Kanwal

Jaswant Singh Kanwal
A powerful chronicler of Punjab’s peasant life, his widely read books highlight social justice and the human condition.

Navtej Sarna

Navtej Sarna
Diplomat and writer, Sarna’s bestselling novels and translations (“The Exile”) connect Punjab’s history to a global readership.

Dalbir Chetan

Dalbir Chetan
Known for his bestselling short stories, Chetan’s tales of Punjab’s hinterlands are loved for their raw realism and emotional power.